CN116490111A - Household appliance comprising a storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a frame (2) and a sliding element (3) which can be extended by means of a drive assembly (5) located in or on the frame, wherein a liftable storage container (41) can be moved out of the frame (2) by means of the sliding element (3). The household appliance (1) is characterized in that a push chain assembly (42) is provided, which has at least one push chain (421) driven by the drive assembly (5), the at least one push chain (421) being fixed by a free end to the storage container (41) and extending between the drive assembly (5) and the storage container (41) by a return guide (422) located on the sliding element (3).

Description

Household appliance comprising a storage container

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a refrigerator or ice chest, having a frame and a sliding element which can be extended from the frame, wherein a liftable storage container can be removed from the frame by means of the sliding element.

Background

Home appliances such as refrigerators or freezers often have containers in addition to compartments in which items such as food products can be stored, which containers can be removed from the frame, for example stored on rails, in order to be able to put in or take out the product to be stored. This may be troublesome for the user when arranging the container in a lower region of the household appliance extending to the base.

EP 1,630,506 B1 describes a refrigerator in which the basket is displaceably arranged in a drawer, wherein the basket is assigned a lifting device which, after the drawer has been removed, can be driven by a drive unit to lift the basket so that the product can be stored or removed more easily. The lifting device comprises a frame mounted on vertically aligned rails for linear movement, on which the basket is positioned as a storage container. In order to raise and lower the lifting frame, an electrically driven pivot arm is provided, at the free end of which a roller is rotatably mounted, which roller rolls on the underside of the lifting frame. The guide of the lifting frame and the drive unit with the pivot arm are mounted on the inner side of a front panel which is mounted on the above-mentioned pull-out guide and can be removed from the frame.

A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the drawer is manually extended, which in turn requires the user to bend down to reach the drawer. It would therefore be desirable if the drawer could also be automatically extended. However, this requires two separate drive units for the pull-out movement and the pull-out movement, respectively, or drive units which are temporarily associated with the pull-out movement and the pull-out movement in a complex manner.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to create a household appliance of the above-mentioned type in which the storage container can be moved and lifted from the frame without manual intervention. Another object is to be able to achieve this with a single drive unit which is mechanically simple and drives both the pushing movement and the lifting movement in a coordinated manner, without requiring complex and error-prone sequential control.

The object is solved by a household appliance having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous designs and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A household appliance according to the invention is characterized in that a push chain assembly is provided, which has at least one push chain driven by a drive assembly, wherein the at least one push chain is fixed by a free end to a storage container and extends between the drive assembly and the storage container by a return guide arranged on a sliding element.

A push chain is a chain in which the mobility between two links can only take place in one pivoting direction of the links to each other, whereby the chain can not only be loaded under tension, but also transmit thrust. According to the invention, this characteristic is utilized to achieve a sliding movement of the sliding element with the carrier container and a lifting movement of the carrier container after deflection with one element (push chain).

Thus, the at least one push chain driven by the drive assembly acts directly only on the storage container, but the deflection causes the sliding element and the storage container to be subjected to forces in the pull-out direction.

The fact that the force required for the sliding movement is much lower than the force required for the lifting movement means that sequential control is inherent: starting from the retracted state of the sliding element, it is first extended to the stop and then the push chain is pushed further resulting in the lifting of the storage container. When the push chain is retracted again, this sequence is reversed, and no complex sequence control is required. For this purpose, the return guide is preferably designed such that it converts the horizontal movement of the push chain into a vertical movement. For example, it may have a quarter circular arc shaped slideway for the push chain.

More advantageously, the at least one push chain simultaneously represents a lifting guide for the storage container, which also simplifies the design.

In the context of the present application, the term "storage container" refers to any arrangement capable of containing items to be stored. In particular, the storage container may also be of multipart design and comprise, for example, a frame-like receptacle which accommodates at least one removable container.

In an advantageous design of the household appliance, at least one push chain is fixed to the rear (lateral) side of the storage container, in particular centered on this side, as seen in the pull-out direction. Thus, a single push chain is sufficient for lifting, especially if the storage container is not too wide. In order to support the lifting guide, in a further development it can be provided that the storage container is additionally mounted on the sliding element for vertical displacement via the sliding guide.

In another advantageous design of the household appliance, the push chain assembly comprises a plurality of push chains extending parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, wherein, for example, as previously described, one push chain is centrally fixed to the rear (lateral) side of the storage container and the other push chain is fixed to each of the two front corner regions or sides of the storage container. In one design, it is further provided that at least two of the plurality of push chains are spaced apart parallel to each other in the direction of extension of the sliding element, whereby a stable support of the storage container is achieved during lifting to prevent tipping back (i.e. against the direction of extension).

Preferably, the plurality of push chains are moved synchronously by the drive assembly. This can be done mechanically, for example via a synchronizing shaft extending transversely to the push chain arrangement, or by a stepper motor or a direct current motor with hall sensors.

The limited freedom of movement of the links of the push chain prevents them from kinking, thus preventing the storage container from tilting forward, i.e. away from the frame. The fact that the push chains are arranged in the front and rear regions of the storage container and that they also extend synchronously in parallel also prevents the storage container from tilting backwards, i.e. towards the frame.

In particular, the push chain assembly achieves a high stability of the lifting guide if at least one push chain is non-rotatably connected at its end with the storage container. To this end, at least one chain sleeve may be attached to or formed on the storage container, for example wherein the free end of at least one push chain is non-rotatably fixed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the drive assembly comprises a drive motor having an output gear which meshes with the at least one push chain. Preferably, the drive motor acts on the output gear via a self-locking gear, for example a worm gear. The storage container is then maintained in the raised position without further action. Alternatively, a blocking or braking means may be provided to prevent the carrying container from sinking. It is also conceivable to continue to supply the drive motor with a lower operating current in the raised position of the storage container in order to achieve the holding function.

The sliding element can be guided linearly on the frame by means of at least one pull-out guide. Preferably, the pull-out guide is equipped with rolling elements, which are associated with a smoothly running guide. Smoothly running guides are advantageous for the order of movement. It ensures that the storage container does not rise before the sliding movement is completed, or that the sliding movement only occurs when the storage container has been lowered.

Furthermore, a retraction lock may be provided, for example by means of a latch or detent, which prevents retraction of the pull-out guide as long as the storage container is still being raised. Such retraction locks may be non-positive and/or positive acting and may be actuated or released, for example, by a storage container. Alternatively, it is contemplated that an electromechanical switch or any type of sensor may be used to detect whether the storage container is in a lowered or raised position.

The described arrangement with a liftable storage container can be implemented particularly advantageously in refrigerators and/or freezers as household appliances.

Drawings

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the following by means of the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1a to 1d show isometric views of a household appliance in a first exemplary embodiment at various stages of a storage container moving sequence;

fig. 2a to 2d show cross-sectional views of the household appliance of fig. 1a to 1d in each case;

fig. 3a and 3b show cross-sectional views of the sliding and lifting guide of the home appliance of the first exemplary embodiment at different positions of the storage container, respectively;

fig. 4 shows an isometric detailed view of a drive unit of a home appliance of a first exemplary embodiment;

fig. 5, 6 show various isometric detail views of the sliding and lifting guide of the household appliance of the first exemplary embodiment; and is also provided with

Fig. 7, 8 show two different isometric detailed views of a second exemplary embodiment of a household appliance with a retraction lock of a pull-out guide.

Detailed Description

The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like acting elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing.

In the specification, terms such as "above," "below," "left," "right" and the like initially refer to the exemplary representations selected in the respective figures. With respect to the terms "above" and "below," the representation in the figures is consistent with the orientation typically employed in space. The terms "front" and "rear" are to be understood with respect to a household appliance, wherein there is a front side of the household appliance facing the user and on said front side there is a door, flap or similar element of the household appliance.

Fig. 1a to 1d show in isometric views a first exemplary embodiment of a household appliance 1 in each case in different movement states of a storage container 41. In fig. 2a to 2d, the household appliance 1 is shown in different vertical sections in the same movement state as the storage container 41 in each case.

Before explaining the details of the technical implementation in the following, an overview of the movement sequence is given first. Partial images with the same suffix (a, b, c, d) in the two drawing sequences of fig. 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d respectively show the same state of the movement sequence.

The household appliance 1 has a frame 2 with side walls 21 and two or more bases 22. The rear wall is not shown for clarity. The household appliance 1 may be, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer. It therefore generally has a multishell insulating framework and technical cooling means and sealing means for closing the opening. For clarity, these are not reproduced in the illustrations of this application. The illustration of the frame 2 should in this sense be regarded as a pure schematic illustration. The frame 2 has forward openings, one of which is closed here by a front panel 31 (fig. 1a, 2 a).

The front panel 31 is part of a sliding element 3 which also comprises a pull-out guide 32 on which the front panel 31 is guided and by means of which the front panel 31 can be pulled out of the frame 2. The connection of the front panel 31 to the pull-out guide is achieved by means of a transverse frame element 33. For example, the sliding element 3 has a structure similar to a drawer, but unlike a drawer, it does not require a base.

As shown in fig. 1b and 2b, when the release means is actuated, the movement sequence starts with the extension of the sliding element 3. The entire movement sequence, i.e. the extension of the sliding element 3, is driven by a drive assembly 5, which is visible, for example, in the sectional views of fig. 2a to 2 d. The drive assembly 5, for example comprising a drive motor with a downstream gearbox, will be explained in more detail in connection with fig. 4.

The drive assembly 5 is controlled by control means not visible here and which are actuated by release means. The release means may be a manually actuatable button arranged at a conveniently accessible level on the household appliance 1, for example. Alternatively or additionally, a remote triggering may also be performed, for example wirelessly via a radio switch connected to a control device, which may also be a mobile terminal, for example a user's mobile phone. Touch or proximity sensitive switches and/or voice or gesture controlled switches may also be used.

By means of the sliding element 3, the storage container 41 is initially moved essentially forward out of the frame 2 (see fig. 1b, 2 b) until it reaches the fully extended position (see fig. 1c, 2 c). In a further movement sequence (see fig. 1d, 2 d), the storage container 41 is lifted upwards while maintaining its orientation.

It will be appreciated that the opening sequence shown in fig. 1a to 1d or fig. 2a to 2d can also be reversed accordingly to lower the storage container 41 again and move it into the frame 2. This may preferably be performed after a re-request by the user. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that after a certain time has elapsed after the storage container 41 has been extended into the position shown in fig. 1d, it is again automatically retracted, possibly after an audible signal has been emitted as an indication. In this way, an inadvertent inability to turn off the household appliance 1 can be prevented. The sensor may be used to detect the presence of a person in the area of the household appliance 1, such that retraction is only performed if no person is in the vicinity of the household appliance 1, in order to prevent the storage container 41 which has been deliberately left in the extended position from being retracted undesirably and/or to exclude the risk of injury in case of accidental retraction.

Details of the technical implementation of the movement sequence described above will be explained below.

As already mentioned, the entire movement is driven by a drive assembly 5, which is arranged in the rear region of the frame 2. Alternatively, the drive assembly 5 may also be arranged outside the frame 2.

The storage container 41 and the indirect sliding element 3 are connected to the drive assembly 5 via a push chain assembly 42, which in this case comprises three push chains 421. A push chain is a chain in which the mobility between two links can only take place in one pivoting direction of the links relative to each other. This is achieved by the corresponding geometry of the links whose end regions are rounded only towards one side of the chain, so that the links can pivot against each other in this direction, whereas when bent in the opposite direction they abut each other by corresponding shaping. For example, a possible shaping of the push chain 421 can be seen in the enlarged view of fig. 4.

The three push chains 421 are synchronously pushed forward or retracted backward by the drive assembly 5. Within the sliding element 3, the push chains 421 each run by return guides 422, in which they deflect upwards along a quarter-circular arc slide. Thus, the push chain 421 is aligned such that upward deflection is possible. The push chain 421 is then coupled to the storage container 41 in the example shown by a chain sleeve 411, into which the push chain 421 is inserted by at least one, preferably several links. The chain cover 411 may be arranged directly on the storage container 41 or may be arranged, for example, indirectly on a frame into which the storage container 41 is inserted.

Of the three push chains 421, there are two push chains extending laterally along the storage container 41 to two front upper corner portions of the storage container 41. The third push chain 421 terminates approximately at the center of the rear lateral edge of the storage container 41. Thus, the chain cover 411 is installed at approximately the center of the two front upper corner portions and the rear lateral edge of the storage container 41.

This arrangement of 3 push chains 421 provides balanced stable support for the storage container 41 as it is lifted to prevent tipping.

In contrast to the centered arrangement, an arrangement "in the corner portion" means that one or more push chains 421 are intentionally mounted off-center. The farther the push chain 421 is mounted to the corner of the storage container, the greater the lever arm for stabilizing the storage container 41.

If starting from the retracted position of the sliding element 3, as shown in fig. 1a or fig. 2a, the drive assembly 5 is actuated so as to extend the push chain 421, which first of all results in the extension of the sliding element 3, as shown in fig. 1b or fig. 2b, respectively. The precondition for this is that the force required for the pushing movement of the sliding element 3 is smaller than the deflection of the push chain 421 and the lifting of the storage container 41. This precondition is also given when the storage container 41 is not filled, in particular in the case of a pull-out guide 32 which is not designed as a sliding guide but is equipped with rolling elements.

With further actuation of the drive assembly 5, the extension of the sliding element 3 continues until the sliding element 3 has reached its maximum extension position and is stopped at this position by a stop, for example formed in the pull-out guide 32. The maximum projecting position of the sliding element 3 is shown in fig. 1c and 2c, respectively.

Further extension of the push chain 421 causes its horizontal movement in the return guide 422 to be offset, as well as vertical movement of the front region of the push chain 421, which in turn lifts the storage container 41 via the chain sheath 411, as shown in fig. 1d and 2d, respectively. The maximum height reached by the storage container 41 is thus predetermined by the length of the push chain 421 used. It may be provided that the movement is stopped by sensing the maximum extension position and controlling the drive assembly 5 accordingly. A limitation by means of a mechanical stop, for example, implemented at the free end of the push chain 421, is also conceivable. Any type of limit switch may be used.

By using a self-locking drive assembly 5 and/or by continuously energizing the drive assembly 5, optionally at a reduced current value, it is possible to keep the storage container 41 in the raised position until the storage container 41 is lowered and retracted again.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the vertical guidance, i.e. the guidance of the storage container 41 in the lifting movement, is achieved only by means of the push chain 421. The limited freedom of movement of the links of the push chain 421 prevents the push chain 421 from buckling, thereby preventing the storage container 41 from tilting forward, i.e. away from the frame 2. Due to the fact that the push chains 421 are arranged in the front and at the rear area of the storage container 41 (which also extend in parallel in synchronization), the storage container 41 is also prevented from tilting towards the rear, i.e. towards the frame 2. The stability of this arrangement is enhanced by the fact that at least one, preferably several links of the push chain 421 are fixed in the chain sleeve 411 in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the storage container 41.

The return guide 422 for the laterally arranged push chain 421 is directly attached to the frame element 33. The return guide 422 for the middle part of the push chain 421 is centrally located on the cross member 423 behind the storage container 41. In the exemplary embodiment shown, cross member 423 is formed from tubing to save material.

Fig. 3a, 3b and 4 to 6 show details of the push chain assembly 42 and the drive assembly 5 in different views.

Fig. 3a and 3b first show vertical sections through the push chain assembly 42 and the drive assembly 5 in a plane in which the central push chain 421 extends. Here, fig. 3a shows the maximally extended but still lowered position of the storage container 41, and fig. 3b shows the maximally extended and raised state of the storage container 41. Thus, the state shown in fig. 3a corresponds to the state shown in fig. 1c and 2c, respectively, and the state shown in fig. 3b corresponds to the state shown in fig. 1d and 2d, respectively.

Fig. 4 shows an isometric enlarged view of the drive assembly 5. Fig. 5 shows the region of the central push chain 421 in the extended state also in an isometric view, and fig. 6 shows an isometric detailed view of the region of the central return guide 422 with the storage container 41 slightly raised.

The drive assembly 5 has a drive motor 51 which acts on the push chain 421 via an output gear 52. Advantageously, only one drive assembly 5 is provided for the entire arrangement, which drive assembly has only one drive motor 51. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the drive motor 51 acts on the middle portion of the push chain 421 via the drive gear 52. The drive motor 51 is preferably provided with an integrated gearbox to move the push chain 421 at a correspondingly reduced speed and high thrust. Advantageously, the gearbox is self-locking, for example by comprising a single or multiple worm gears. Power is transferred from the output gear 52 to the push chain 421 by guiding the push chain 421 around the output gear 52 over a range of angles (currently about 60 degrees).

The end of the push chain 421 facing away from the storage container 41 is guided in a receiving tube 53 which is approximately vertical and can be guided along the rear side of the furniture carcass 2. The receiving tube 53 may be formed as a tubular socket, as in the example shown, so that the push chain 421 is free to move upwards behind the furniture carcass when the sliding element 3 is retracted. Alternatively, the receiving tube 53 may also have a corresponding length and be closed so that it can fully house the push chain 421. In order to avoid contamination of the push chain 421, a closed receiving tube 53 is advantageous. Alternatively, another form of chain storage device can be used after the shortened receiving tube 53, in which device the chain is rolled up, for example if the installation space in the furniture carcass is limited in this region and a large vertical extension is not possible. For illustration reasons, the free end of the push chain 421 is shown shortened in fig. 3 a.

In order to enable the arrangement to be moved with only one drive motor 51, and also to achieve synchronization of the movements of all three push chains 421, the movements of the central push chain 421 are transmitted to the transverse push chains 421 via the synchronization shaft 56. For this purpose, synchronizing gears 54 are provided, which pick up the movement of the central push chain 421 with gears 55 and transmit the movement to synchronizing shafts 56 on both sides to similar synchronizing gears, which in turn drive the respective lateral push chains 421. In an alternative design, the synchronization can also take place directly from the output gear 52 of the drive motor 51 via a synchronization shaft.

It will be appreciated that such mechanical synchronization may also be achieved when more than one drive motor is provided. In addition, in the illustrated example, the position of the drive motor driving the middle portion of the push chain 421 is merely exemplary. It will also be conceivable that only one or two transverse push chains 421 are driven and their movements are correspondingly transmitted via the synchronizing shaft 56.

Fig. 7 and 8 each show a view of a second exemplary embodiment of a household appliance with a sliding element 3 and a sliding and lifting device 4 in equidistant detail. The exemplary embodiments shown herein correspond to the exemplary embodiments described above in terms of basic structure, and the description of the embodiments is explicitly referred to herein. Specifically, the differences between these two exemplary embodiments will be discussed below.

In this exemplary embodiment, too, the storage container 41 is arranged in the slide element 3, in fig. 7 and 8, the frame element 33 of which is guided via the pull-out guide 32 and the front panel 31 of the connecting frame element 33 can be seen. In this (as described above) exemplary embodiment, the pull-out guide 32 is designed as a fully extended pull-out guide, which comprises a frame rail 321 mounted on the frame 2, a center rail 322 mounted so as to be displaceable relative thereto, and a running rail 323 mounted so as to be displaceable relative thereto.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 7 and 8, the locking lever 324 is pivotally mounted on the rail. The locking lever 324 is formed as a double-sided lever in which a first front lever arm of the locking lever 324 projects forward freely toward the front panel 31. The second, opposite lever arm is provided with a detent 325 which, as shown, projects along the central rail 322 forward of the front end of the frame rail 321 in the fully extended position of the drawer slide 32. The locking bar 324 is slightly angled. In the shown position assumed by the locking lever 324, reinsertion of the pull-out guide 32 is prevented by gravity when the front portion of the locking lever is free to move, as the pawl 325 abuts against the front end of the frame rail 321.

The locking lever 324 assumes the position shown as long as the storage container 41 is raised. When the storage container 41 is lowered, the actuator 412 laterally protruding from the storage container 41 and shaped like a bolt presses down the free end of the locking lever 324, at which time the pawl 325 is raised and the movement of the running rail or the center rail with respect to the frame rail 321 is released again.

The locking lever 324 forms, together with the actuator 412, a retraction lock which ensures that the sliding element 3 cannot retract when the storage container 41 is raised, which would otherwise result in the storage container 41 colliding with the frame 2 of the household appliance 1. As an alternative possible retraction lock, it is conceivable to use electromechanical switches or sensors which detect whether the storage container 41 is in the lowered or raised position. A suitable actuator may then be used to prevent retraction of the storage container 41 depending on the detected position.

Another difference between the exemplary embodiment of fig. 7 and 8 and the exemplary embodiment described above is that, in addition to the push chain assembly 42, a sliding guide 43 is provided between the sliding element 3 and the storage container 41, which sliding guide supports the vertical guidance of the storage container 41. In this case, the sliding guide 43 is mounted on the frame element 33 on one side of the sliding element 3. Mounting on the front panel 31 is also conceivable.

Thanks to this sliding guide 43, the storage container 41 can only move linearly with respect to the front panel 31; thus preventing tilting. This makes it possible to minimize the number of push chains 421 so that they eventually only need to be designed for extension and lifting, but do not require the additional function of stabilizing the storage container 41 against tipping by means of the push chains 421.

Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, it is sufficient if, for example, only the center push chain 421 is used.

List of reference numerals

1. Household appliance

2. Framework

21. Side wall

22. Base part

3. Sliding element

31. Front panel

32. Pull-out guide

321. Frame rail

322. Center rail

323. Running rail

324. Locking lever

325. Pawl for a bicycle

33. Frame element

4. Sliding and lifting device

41. Storage container

411. Chain sleeve

412. Actuator with a spring

42. Push chain assembly

421. Push chain

422. Backhaul guide

423. Cross member

43. Sliding guide

5. Driving assembly

51. Driving motor

52. Output gear

53. Receiving tube

54. Synchronous gear

55. Gear wheel

56. And synchronizing the shafts.

Claims (16)

1. Household appliance (1) having a frame (2) and a sliding element (3) which can be extended from the frame by means of a drive assembly (5) arranged in or on the frame, wherein a liftable storage container (41) can be moved out of the frame (2) by means of the sliding element (3), characterized in that a push chain assembly (42) is provided, which has at least one push chain (421) driven by the drive assembly (5), wherein the at least one push chain (421) is fixed to the storage container (41) by a free end and extends between the drive assembly (5) and the storage container (41) by a return guide (422) arranged on the sliding element (3).

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one push chain (421) is fixed to the rear side of said storage container (41) as seen in the pull-out direction.

3. The household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive assembly (5) comprises a drive motor (51) having an output gear (52) meshing with the at least one push chain (421).

4. A household appliance (1) as in claim 3, wherein said driving motor (51) acts on said output gear (52) via a self-locking gear.

5. The household appliance (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the return guide (422) converts a horizontal movement of the push chain (421) into a vertical movement.

6. The household appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein the return guide (422) comprises a quarter-circular arc shaped slideway for the push chain (421).

7. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one chain sleeve (411) is attached to or formed on the storage container (41) indirectly or directly, in which chain sleeve the free end of the at least one push chain (421) is non-rotatably fixed.

8. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sliding element (3) is mounted on the frame (2) to be linearly displaced via a pull-out guide (32).

9. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the storage container (41) is vertically displaceably mounted on the sliding element (3) via a sliding guide (43).

10. The household appliance (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the push chain assembly (42) comprises a plurality of push chains (421) extending parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

11. The household appliance (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of push chains (421) is fixed in a front corner portion of said storage container (41).

12. Household appliance (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein at least two of said plurality of push chains (421) are fixed to said storage container (41) spaced apart from each other in parallel in the pull-out direction of said sliding element (3).

13. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said plurality of push chains (421) are moved synchronously by said drive assembly (5).

14. Household appliance (1) according to claim 13, wherein a synchronization shaft (56) extending transversely to the orientation of the push chain (421) is provided to synchronize the movement of the push chain (421).

15. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a retraction lock that locks the sliding element (3) in an extended position if the storage container (41) is lifted.

16. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, configured as a refrigerator and/or freezer.